Marathon run in memory of mum

A woman who lost her mother to cancer is running her first marathon to raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

Rachel De Cann, who is the shop manager at Buckingham Garden Centre, is in training to take part in the Brighton Marathon in April, just a few days before her 40th birthday.

Miss De Cann already running up to 13-and-a-half miles at a time as well as doing cross training and circuits at Evolve gym in Bicester. On March 2, she will be running a half-marathon in Reading.

And her employers at the garden centre have shown their support by choosing Breast Cancer Care as their charity for the year, after owner Pauline Brown was herself treated for breast cancer two years ago.

Miss De Cann said: “Pauline and the company were so supportive of me when my mum was ill. Because they’re a family business, family is obviously very important to them.

“I actually felt I was taken care of and I felt if I needed to go and be with my mum they would let me do that. When my mum had passed and I came back to work, that’s when I found out Pauline had it.”

She added: “I enjoy running anyway, for me it’s a release. So if I can enjoy something I do and raise money at the same time, that’s a bonus.”

The garden centre will launch its charity of the year at its potato and fruit tree grafting weekend this weekend.

Sponsor Miss De Cann at the garden centre or online at at www.justgiving.com/Rachel-De-Cann